More than 1.1 million people (and thousands of businesses) contribute to the Upstate’s economy. But have you ever wondered about Greenville’s heaviest hitters?

Consider this Greenville Business 101 — your guide our region’s six target industries and four major employers.

The key industries

Five key industries represent Greenville’s economy, based on data from the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC).

Advanced Materials | Greenville’s foundation in advanced manufacturing means there’s a focus on developing advanced materials and composites (read: polymers, metal alloys, and nano-materials). According to GADC, Greenville has “the workforce, infrastructure, research initiatives, and collaborative environment” to develop materials important for other industries.

Aviation and Aerospace | From Lockheed Martin choosing Greenville for final assembly of the F-16 Block 70 to Boeing’s final assembly facility for the 787 in Charleston (hey, CHStoday), is a leader in supporting the global aviation industry.

Life Sciences | The pharmaceutical and medical device companies that call the Upstate home (think: Bausch & Lomb, Nutra Manufacturing, and International Vitamin Corporation), plus partnerships with Clemson University, establish the Upstate as a foundation for Biosciences organizations.

Mobility | Greenville is home to 120 automotive organizations + suppliers that employ over 30,000 residents and boasts "a skilled workforce to sites well-suited to unique manufacturing needs and with access to a well-connected logistics network."

Professional and Tech Services | Greenville is home to over 40 Fortune 500 companies and 20+ headquartered operations, plus more than 240 international companies. Greenville’s pro-business environment, quality workforce, and market accessibility make it marketable to companies across the world.

The major players

Now that we’ve established the major industries, we bet you’re curious about specific names. Whether you’re job hunting (or just “casually prospecting”), here are five major employers — all that employ 5,000-10,000 workers on average.

BMW

11,000+ employees | Automotive + manufacturing | Search jobs

Although technically not in Greenville, we couldn't leave BMW's Plant Spartanburg off this list. If you're interested in seeing the facility, you can book a tour.

Prisma Health

10,000+ employees | Health services | Search jobs

Prisma Health is South Carolina's largest private, non-profit healthcare system.

Greenville County Schools

10,000+ employees | Public education | Search jobs

The Greenville County School District is the largest in South Carolina and the 44th largest in the US.

Michelin North America

5,001-10,000 employees | Manufacturing, research, and development | Search jobs

Michelin is the top-selling tire brand worldwide that designs and distributes tires and services for customers.

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

2,501-5,000 employees | Health Services | Search jobs

Bon Secours St. Francis has two hospitals in Greenville, as well as walk-in clinics, senior living, and primary care offices.

This information is derived from the most recent data published by the Greenville Area Development Corporation.